MISSIONARIES RETURN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20603, 30 June 1930, Page 11

MISSIONARIES RETURN.

SOUTHERN CROSS ARRIVES. NATIVE BROTHERHOOD IDEAL. NEED OF TRAINED NURSES. Tho work of tho Melanesian Mission continues to progress in the Now Hebrides and Solomon Islands, according to missionaries who arrived at Auckland on furlough by the mission steamer Southern Cross yesterday. They are the Rev. A. A. Thomson, of Malaita, Solomon Islands, the Rev. S. G. Caulton, of Ugi, Solomon Islands, and Miss 13. S. Williams and Miss H. Broughton, of Raga, New Hebrides. Mr. Caulton, who has just completed a year's work at tho central mission school at Ugi, is most enthusiastic over tho mission activities. " Tho native boys aro honest, receptivo and genuinely willing to learn," be said. " They make excellent pupils and when they leavo the schools exercise a highly beneficial influence on their people." Mr. Caulton's school takes about 310 native pupils through a four years' course. Some of the pupils are about 24 years old beforo they leave the school. They aro taught to read and write, given instruction in the Scriptures and are also instructed in the rudiments of medical treatment for the diseases which aro rife in tho islands. Tho principle behind tho work of the mission schools was the development of a brotherhood of native boys, Mr. Caulton said Old feuds were being forgotten and tho mission-trained natives were gradually evangelising their own people, even tho more fierce inhabitants of the hill villages. Mr. Caulton had a word of praise for the work of traders in tho Solomon Islands. " They are of great assistance to us on numerous occasions, and our relations are most friendly," ho said. Mr. Caulton, who suffered an attack of malaria recently, will spend somo weeks in tho Auckland district, returning to his station by tho Southern Cross on September 9. Mr. Thomson, who has been in tho islands for 16 years, is on furlough and will leave for England by tho Aorangi to-morrow. To be tho only English inhabitants of tho large island of Raga has been the lot of Miss Williams and Miss Broughton. They conduct a school for women and girls 011 the island, which is one of tho moro peaceful iu the New Hebrides group, and instruct them in reading, writing, sewing and other arts. Although not a qualified nurse, Miss Williams has specialised in medical work during her 12 years' service, but she is firmly convinced that the mission needs trained workers iji this sphere. "We receive no assistance from the Government in securing medical supplies and this makes the ivork somewhat difficult," she said. Miss Williams will return to the islands in September, but Miss Broughton, who has been serving for seven years on the station, will go to England on furlough.